Why Im never buying Adidas trainers

There is an  article in the Sunday Guardian /Observer about a comedian who fell foul of the restrictions around the use of the protected terms -  How I was busted by the O------ Advertisement Enforcement Office.

This follows on  from the article about the Middletons company , Party Pieces, begin forced to change some of their copy because they had an image that looked a bit like an olympic torch. And then  there has been a grumbling row about athletes and shoe sponsors. Those who usually wear A.N.Other brand of running shoes arent being allowed to wear them if/when they get presented with medals . 
There was a UK version of this , but the US one has blown up recently  and is reported here.  This is in addition to LOCOG bullying and harrassing children to wear Adidas trainers  in Oxford.

And then there is Old Trafford  in Manchester  , where they've painted some seats for Adidas' benefit 

But we will all be relieved to hear that Seb isnt going to make children go barefoot through the Olympic Park(probably) 


So with friends like this , there is no way im even going to consider buying Adidas footwear in the future fior the next time I do the Great North Run

Traffic calming part1

Planters

we have discussed traffic calming endlessly .
Most wanted humps - the more vicious the better as far as Im concerned. But a few dont want them , and those who don't are vehemently against them

So the next thought was to re-tarmac the lane so it looks like a playground. Bit the Council said no to that - something about encouraging children to play in the road 
 So we then went to greening the back lane and trying some visual cues to get drivers to slow down  - and this was the suggestion  -  planters . They couldn't put them out into the road, overhanging the kerb ,  so they are pushed back against free wall, between doors and garages, distributed  down th back lane. Residents will be responsible for their upkeep .

But go on - be honest - will that dissuade cars ? Here's the drivers view going down the lane

But never mind , we had a Street party (supported by Newcastle Neighbours - a Council initiative) , with face painting and a magicians for the kids , and the adults came along to eat and drink .

61 Adults and  19 children.

 Some pictures are on flickr


We tried to get the Council to measure Speeds before and after but they couldn't/wouldn't .  I think we will be back in a while wanting more effective traffic calming - but at least its a start